A King Pursued by a Unicorn

A King Pursued by a Unicorn

Jean Duvet

1555

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image is a chaotic, detailed engraving showing a king on horseback being chased by a unicorn. Trees twist into strange shapes, and buildings in the background look like they’re melting or crumbling. The scene is packed with tiny figures, some running, others hiding, while the unicorn’s horn glows brightly. The lines are so dense in parts that it feels like the whole scene might unravel. The unicorn’s horn is a key detail—it’s not just a weapon but a symbol, often linked to purity or power in old stories. The mix of wild nature and crumbling structures might hint at a deeper meaning, like a warning or a moral lesson. Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like Duvet carved these intricate lines into metal.

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